Preventing the Potty Mouth

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

04 Jul 2009 12:39 PM

Preschoolers think everything is hysterical, especially when it comes to getting a laugh out of an older kid. Hence, your preschooler may start using what I like to call a potty mouth. This can be anything from calling someone a butt-head to using words that would make a sailor blush. If your child has a potty mouth, what can you do to get rid of it? Or, how can you prevent the potty mouth from developing in the first place. Here are some suggestions.

First of all, watch what you say. Believe it or not, preschooler pick up most of their potty talk from the adults or older siblings. If you curse yourself when frustrated, then you can pretty much bet those same words will find their way out of your preschooler's mouth.

Limit the screen time. Do you really know what your children are watching? Sit down with them when they watch television and really pay attention to what is being said. Sometimes on those "innocent" children's programs you will find a lot of wisecracking and even potty talk. If you don't want your child to call someone a poopy-head, then don't let them hear a favorite character do it either. My then two-year-old started calling me stupid after watching the Disney movie "Lilo & Stitch." Since then, I pay more attenuation to what is being said on the screen, even for "Rated G" content.

Give a reasonable response when the potty mouth happens. Try not to laugh even though you may find comment to be funny. You want a serious but calm expression. The more excitement and attention you give to the comment, either positive or negative, the more likely your child is to try it again.

Depending on the age and maturity of the child, you can explain that words can be powerful things and those words are sending the wrong message, that name calling hurts people's feelings, or that what was just said is potty talk and potty talk is against the rules.

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Teach Your Child to Be Polite

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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